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Guidance Software, the security company whose computer forensics software helps firms identify the source of hacking attacks, has settled with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over charges that it failed to protect its own customers' data from attack.

The FTC said Guidance failed to take "reasonable security measures to protect its consumers' data from tampering, in contradiction of its own security policies and federal law. As a result, hackers were able to get access to sensitive credit card information on thousands of customers' stored admin passwords in clear text on its servers, an oversight that allowed attackers to access credit card information on its network.

In agreeing the settlement, Guidance agreed to implement a comprehensive information-security programme and obtain audits by independent third-party security firms every two years for 10 years.

According to the FTC complaint (PDF), Guidance failed to implement "simple, inexpensive and readily available security measures" to protect consumers' data. As well as failing to take precautions to prevent web attacks, Guidance failed to detect unauthorised access to its network, a particularly embarrassing oversight given the nature of Guidance's business".